It was a bit grey when we woke up, with a bit of drizzle – actually nice after the hot days we have had. By the time we went out on our bikes the rain had stopped and the sun was coming out.

The first stop was Hill 62 Canadian memorial – a hill held by the Germans with good views to Ypres and over the Canadian troops in the front line.

The Canadians lost many men by the Germans continually bombarding them from this position. The Canadians were determined to take Hill 62 so mounted an attack at 1.30am and took the hill over 4 days but lost over 8,400 men in the process.

We then cycled on to Hill 60, made famous by the Australian movie ‘Beneath Hill 60’.

Germans were also on Hill 62 so Australian tunneled who were mining experts specially brought out from Australia dug a 500 meter tunnel under the Germans and blew them up. They used so much explosive they blew them sky high. The area was purchased by a family after the war who left it in the same condition. There are now lumps and bumps all over and some big craters.

It was now a crater. So the Australians took over the crater – now a good sheltered spot to be.

Another crater was over the other side of the railway line. It’s huge!!

There were some good photos on the plaques provided by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

We then found a nice picnic spot for a rest. After lunch it was back onto the bikes to get back to the campsite. There are military cemeteries everywhere and we came across the Bedford House cemetery surrounded by ponds and water lillies.

After wandering around we cycled back to the campsite for a rest to recuperate for our special trip this evening. Cycling straight up the road from the Hooge Crater Campsite into Ypres it was easy to find the Menin Gate. The large stone gate has over 50,000 soldiers named on it for whom no grave exists. Every evening at 8pm a ceremony is held where a bugler plays the Last Post and visiting groups place wreaths at the central point in the monument.

It was a very moving ceremony with everyone totally quiet and only the bugle could be heard.

Arbroath Academy were the first group to place a wreath.

The original lions at the entry just after the war were replaced. The originals were given to Australia by Ypres as a recognition of their appreciation for defending Ypres. These lions were restored and are now at the Australian War Memorial at Canberra.

Ypres is a very picturesque town with old city walls. We will be back tomorrow.

We cycled home to complete a big cycling day.